2023 NSF ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening

This past June, DU-MERISTEM Co-PIs Dr. Anna Sher (DU-MERISTEM Faculty Director and Professor of Biology) and Dr. Deb Ortega (co-Founder DU Latinx Center and Professor of GSSW) attended the 2023 NSF ADVANCE Equity in STEM Community Convening in Durham, NC.

Collectively, they attended more than ten different sessions and workshops addressing significant issues of equity in STEM, including historically excluded faculty (HEF) recruitment and hiring, DEI evaluation of leadership, culture change, and mentoring. Additionally, they were able to connect with dozens of other ADVANCE awardees from many other schools, including various Colorado institutions, members of DU-MERISTEM's External Advisory Board, and its NSF Program Officer, Jesse Dearo. Attending this event has helped the DU-MERISTEM program make critical connections and learn about what is working elsewhere to hire, support, and retain HEF in STEM.